Thursday 30 April 2020

May the Force of Mindfulness Be With You

My Business Cards

Your imagination is a very powerful tool. Have a think about the biggest thing that you can think of that you really want to do....when you have that image in your head try to put it down on paper, draw it, sketch it, write it, paint it, make a doodle out of it. Then set an intention in your head to reach it, make it real, give it purpose, make it so number one.

Our imaginations are very powerful tools. Without an imagination you would not be reading this blog on the device you that you hold and it would not contain any electrical components in it. Nor would you be wearing those glasses to make you see; or feeling the cloth of your shirt on your arm. You would not be seeing the images from Star Wars cards at the beginning of this blog and this blog would not exist because Google wouldn't have been created  to create it. Never mind the furniture that you are sitting or laying on. 

Without imaginations our world would be, well, it would be as Earth was created. We have shaped it with our imaginations. Consider the idea that whatever idea you had in your head, and I would guess you probably think it unobtainable, is the same feeling the person who invented the the chair had when they wanted to explain this idea of parking your backside onto something in order to rest your feet. 

"What do you call it?"
"An arse supporting leg-rester." 
"Nah!"

Here's a little tale you may know.

There once lived a young farm boy who dreamed of a wider world than his small desert space. He looked up at the stars and would wonder what went on there, who was out there. 
One afternoon he met a crazy old wizard who explained that he could see what was there if he trusted himself, he could be great, if he listened to himself. and that this old man could teach him tricks.
The boy was excited and tempted; until he remembered that he had jobs to do and commitments to the farm.
Then one day, fate played it's hand. That young boy lost his connection to the farm under tragic circumstances and he had a choice to make, stay and rebuild, or chase his dreams.
he chose the old man and went for his dreams. 

The old man taught the boy about the magic in the air, and how he was connected not only to those that he loved, but to all living things, to the ground and nature and to the universe. He told the young farm boy to believe in his instinct, in his imagination, to listen to what was going on inside of him. Do not trust what your eyes tell you.

The young boy trusted, he learnt and....

....you know the rest.

Of course that is the story of Luke Skywalker. It is also the story of many myths and legends and our wonderful storytellers tell us these stories because as well as being entertaining, there is an element of truth in them. That's why they have lasted for centuries.

We must begin to trust our instincts and imaginations; our subconscious brains. Our logical side is all well and good, but it only warns you about what you already know, it houses your fears and your learned beliefs. The saying goes that if you tell yourself you can't do something then you are absolutely right. 

Try telling yourself that you can do something, and each step of the way you learn more and take another leap to that goal fizzing about in your mind. You enjoy the road trip to that goal, you learn new skills and meet new people and open your world. You can't just step out of your house and be an astronaut; but you can be an astronaut.

Any goal you can dream is obtainable. It lies in the belief within you and the desire you have to get there. We are used to being told the following: 

NO
TOO HARD
WHY
YOU CAN'T
NOT ENOUGH TIME/MONEY/EDUCATION

Try telling yourself yes, and scare the hell out of your family and friends by also telling them yes. You will be classed as an eccentric, a misfit, a rebel, an outcast, a maverick and any other label those who are stuck in their worlds would like to put on those who choose to break the wall. 

Break the wall.

I haven't played the piano for 30 years. During this lockdown I have decided to start to learn. In the following video, I start by playing the piano, please do consider that I got this far in a week.

Stay safe everyone. 


Zac Thraves is a writer, performer and mindfulness practitioner. Once out of lockdown you can book me for shows, stories and games. For schools and places of work. 









Thursday 23 April 2020

Mindfulness Imagination Pt 3

The trouble with being alone all of the time, is that you forget what it is like to be with other people.

That's not a quote, at least I don't think, I made it up; but it does feel true. In another part of my life I am an actor and a ceremony celebrant. Yet for the most part I am far happier sitting alone and not interacting with the world. I think they call that an introverted extrovert or something.

With the world in lockdown I thought this would be a perfect time for me to have time for myself, work at my own pace and do those things I've wanted to do. The answer to that is yes, it has been a perfect time and it has been embraced. Yet now I need to see other people. The introversion has become overwhelming, like a blanket wrapped around you and you can't find the end to glimpse some light.

To keep the demons away I have been interrupting my work schedule with a little creativity. It's not much, and it is not enough to distract you completely, and it is almost going back to a time of school and doodling on a pad while the teacher mumbles on about something geographical, which I hated.

Try this, if you have in a draw or box somewhere a small palette of child's water colours, then open it up, grab a glass of water and a paint brush and some paper that you don't need. Then just stroke that brush about the page and see what your imagination can conjure up. It doesn't have to be anything, it doesn't have to look like anything, but it is releasing that pent up frustration or depression in your mind and re-focussing your brain onto something else. Who knows. you could be on your way to being Picasso.


Another thing you could try to take your mind off things is listen to music. You know, now you're not stuck in an office of people who may comment on your choice of tunes you can listen to anything you damn well please. I've taken to dusting off the vinyl, and then mixing it with a dose of Spotify or some old CD's that have almost disappeared from memory.

I also listen to movie soundtracks, and there are some, such as Star Wars or Raiders of the Lost Ark, where you can more or less visualize the movie as you listen.

The wonderful thing about that is you can have a scene playing in your head while your eyes are scanning the next email to deal with. It is called multi-tasking, and is very good for your brain as well as for your imagination.





Our imaginations are an important component for maintaining our emotional and mental health. Art plays a huge role in our wellbeing and is usually the first thing to be sacrificed when things turn sour in the world. Yet, when we are faced with dire situations we turn to music, we turn to television box-sets; we turn to movies and to grabbing hold of that feelgood moment.

My message to you is. that if you feel you are down, depressed, anxious, unable to focus or just wishing yourself away, then switch on that side of your brain that is creative. You are not expected to give anyone a masterpiece, you are just expected to make you smile.

If you like what you have done share it; if you don't, then you have achieved something wonderful. Something unique to you that no-one else will see.

Stay well and safe and see you on the other side.

Zac Thraves is a writer, performer and mindfulness practitioner

Tuesday 14 April 2020

Mindfulness & Imagination Pt. 2

These are strange times, unique times, and there a many of us feeling the mental strain on lockdown.

To begin with I enjoyed it; I am what would be called an introverted extrovert, in that when I am placed in a situation I can revel in the attention, yet I do not seek it out. I am very happy taking a back seat and watching others control the room. A natural introvert seeks only the company of self, and I had lots of projects that I wanted to get off the ground; I wanted to start an online shop, which I have nearly completed and can be found here:

Empire Raiders of the Future Busters

I also wanted to further develop my project for presenting the benefits of mindfulness and the power of your imaginations. About 2 years ago I was encouraged to write a workshop, the performer in me made that into more of a show with songs and interaction and humour. Now I have developed what I call a fair. I want to take this around the country and open up about the power within us, and how using mindful techniques can help you realise your dreams, goals, ambitions; or to just accept the you that you want to be.

So I made a video, and when all this is over, I will be approaching schools and businesses to come to the fair.

Please enjoy and if you need any help, please get in touch.



Finally, I would like to share with you a song which I feel is about depression, anxiety and mental health. It is by Peter Gabriel, Sledgehammer. An imaginative video and a powerful message.

Please stay safe and well. We can be kind to each other if we choose to do that. This world can be a better place if we look at it from the perspective of love.


Zac Thraves is a writer, performer and mindfulness practitioner. 

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